April 17, 2008	Thursday	Rabi-us-Sani 10, 1429

ISLAMABAD, April 16: The Beijing Olympic Torch relay, a “journey of harmony”, concluded its tenth leg of global journey at Jinnah Sports Complex on Wednesday.

The lantern of the Beijing Olympic flame was brought to the venue on a traditional horse-drawn carriage at around 4:45pm and was welcomed by a military band playing exuberant tunes.

Olympic torch relay involved around 65 people running in turns around the stadium.

Fuwa, the good luck dolls, Beijing Olympic Mascots, were walking around the crowd who cheered every minute of the ceremony.

Some 6,000 people mostly comprising students from local schools attended the ceremony at a tightly guarded area of the Jinnah Stadium.

President Pervez Musharraf, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, officials of Beijing Olympic Organizing Committee, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Adviser to Prime Minister Rehman Malik and foreign diplomats attended the historic event.

President Pervez Musharraf lit the flame to the cheers and applause of audience.

Samiullah Khan, who was given the title of ‘the flying horse’ in the world of hockey was the first who carried the Olympic Torch from whom it was taken by Chinese Ambassador Luo Zhaohui.

Former world No 1 squash player Jahangir Khan, the last torchbearer in Islamabad relay, then lit a flame inside the jam-packed Liaquat Gymnasium among a cheering and screaming crowd.

A colourful ceremony was organised by the Pakistan Olympic Association in the gymnasium. Chinese put up a dance and song show on the occasion.

Four provinces were represented in a musical programme while ‘Kathak’ and classical dance was also displayed representing culture of Pakistan.

Kalash dance was also part of the show which was cheered by the audience. Fireworks were also displayed at the ceremony.

Some 3,000 paramilitary troops, elite police commandos and security officials guarded the flame as it arrived at the Jinnah Stadium.

Earlier, the torch arrived at the Chaklala Air base in the mid-night through a chartered plane from Muscat. It was received by the President POA Syed Arif Hasan, Chinese Ambassador Luo Zhaohui, CDA chairman Kamran Lashari and other officials.

The Olympic Torch left for New Delhi later in the night.